Since coming to college, second-year Engineering student Cal Wooten and his friends have waited to hear those three little words from that very special someone: Come on down!
Last year Wooten founded The Disciples of Bob Barker in an effort to spread the joy of the beloved game show "The Price is Right." Since then, the club has gained official status among the newest Contracted Independent Organizations approved by Student Council.
"I can't believe it either," Club President Wooten remarked in reaction to their CIO standing, "and you can quote me on that."
Wooten was the first to speak at DOBB's general meeting, held last Monday on the south end of the Lawn. Over 35 students showed up with the hopes that they too might one day meet Bob. Wooten opened the meeting with some stirring words for the rowdy audience.
"We are united by one common love," he said. "A love for Bob."
He then discussed the DOBB initiative, including a summary of the constitution. The document outlines 10 explicit objectives for the membership, including: to construct and operate their own homemade pricing games, to encourage people to help control the pet population by having their pets spayed or neutered and, perhaps most importantly, to journey to Los Angeles and view a taping of the show, "with the intent of getting on stage and hugging Bob, and kissing Bob, and hugging Rod Roddy and hugging Bob again."
One question remains unanswered -- how will these young dreamers make it to California?
Second-year College student Levi Brown, who serves as Loin Peddler (that's treasurer in DOBB speak), cleared up some of the logistics at the meeting. Brown prepared a visual aid for the new members, drawn on what appeared to be a cut up cardboard box. One side depicted a U.S. map divided by a horizontal line.
"As you can see," pointed out Clint Smith, DOBB Secretary and second-year Engineering student, "it's pretty much a straight shot right across the country."
After the geography lesson, Brown requested three volunteers.
Second-year College student Allan Smith stepped forward only to find Brown tearing off his shirt to reveal a makeshift game board. Smith was confronted with five words stacked one on top of the next on Brown's pasty white backdrop: "DOBB equals cool, fun, Bob."
The object of the game quickly grew clear. Each volunteer was to complete the phrase, "DOBB equals
" with one of the subsequent three words and explain their choice. Smith situated some paint on his finger and carefully placed a check next to "Bob."
DOBB equals Bob!
"I wanted to choose all three," he explained. "But then I realized Bob equals cool and fun, too."
Continuing with the presentation, Wooten explained the need for a bus. The executive board decided they would all get the necessary drivers' license so that each could take turns operating the vehicle.
After considering ways to acquire a bus, the executives came up with two main possibilities. Either they could purchase one through a public school auction or buy one off of e-bay. After the purchase, the members hope to paint Bob Barker on the side and make their expedition this coming summer.
But will everyone be able to make the trip?
According to Smith, it really depends on how many buses DOBB can afford. Brown, on the other hand, believes potential pilgrims should show some initiative prior to the expedition. With 218 current members, including 20 from other universities, it would prove nearly impossible to take everyone on the trip.
"You can't just be a member," Brown said, "you have to, like, do stuff."
But the requirements for membership are not quite so stringent -- interested students merely visit the DOBB Web site and fill out a registration form, which completes the entire process.
After the site was featured on collegehumor.com, the number of hits skyrocketed. Over 10,000 people have since learned about the DOBB vision.
Beyond choosing which members get to travel on the bus, executive board members still must figure out how to pay for the voyage. Brown supplied yet another visual at the meeting.
He had constructed a financial plan for the club with three headings: expenditures, income and total.
"As you can see, we have spent $5 so far for the activities fair," Brown explained.
"Actually, that was $10," Wooten corrected.
"Okay, so far we have spent $10," Brown clarified while amending his original numbers with a red pen on the visual. "Our income is zero, so right now we are in debt $10."
Brown went on to explain that buses can be pricey -- running around $1,000 each.
"So I guess we need, like, $1,010 to break even," Brown calculated.
Although Brown's financial plan is relatively simple, he has big ideas for his role as Loin Peddler. He hopes to secure a sponsorship from Exxon Mobil so that DOBB can take advantage of free gas when crossing the country.
"Also, I was going to look into McDonald's or Pepsi," Brown said. "And Quaker State because buses need oil too."
Brown considers sponsorship a great opportunity for companies that want literally to advertise their products, step by step, across the country.
Wooten also has some ideas for funding within the University community. One plan involves setting up a "Blinko Board" which would mimic Plinko on "The Price is Right." Students would pay 50 cents per disc to play on the Lawn.
These small steps could add up to big bucks for DOBB and the realization of a long-time dream for Wooten, whose fixation dates back to middle school when an autographed photo of Bob decorated the interior of his locker.
"My obsession was never able to flourish until now, though," he admitted.
As a first-year student living in Woody, Wooten would tape "The Price is Right" while at class so he could watch it with friends later, sparking suite-mate Smith's interest. Then, one night, Ryan McKinstrie, high school friend, and future DOBB vice president, came over to visit during a viewing.
This marked the turning point for the founding members.
"We realized Bob dwelled within all of us," McKinstrie recalled of that night in front of the TV.
The new members began practicing their skills by playing pricing games at the Root Cellar where Brown worked. When a friend in Council gave them the idea to seek official CIO status, their goal picked up momentum.
"Next year, we want to start a DOBB house," Wooten said. "We could name it Delta Omega Beta Beta, like a fraternity."
"But not a fraternity, a brotherhood," Smith chimed in.
"A humanhood," Wooten added.
As DOBB approaches its summer deadline, one wonders how the members will win if and when they get to Contestants Row. After a brief pop quiz, it seems that the disciples could use a little practice before making their trip.
When asked to price two items, Wooten, Smith, McKinstrie and Brown huddled to discuss their estimate. Although they were a mere 20 cents low on a tube of Crest toothpaste, they surmised that a box of Raid ant traps would cost $6. The actual "retail" price was $3.79.
"But, that's not really fair because Raid is never on 'The Price is Right,'" Smith rationalized. "Ziks Arthritis Cream, on the other hand, is always on and it's $9.99."
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